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I'd like to encourage our athletics staff to figure out a classy way to let everyone know these facts when they're not looking down at their phones during football games this season and in future seasons.

Louisiana Tech University
Flagship of the University of Louisiana System

Re: Football. LA Tech to Retire Fred Dean's Number - latechsports.com

O.K. "Buddy" Davis column on Mean Fred Dean:

Fred Dean: a terrorizing sack
artist to have Tech jersey retiredBy O.K. Davisbuddy@rustonleader.comFuture football foes finally won't be haunted by tales of terrorizing by No. 70 for Louisiana Tech University.
Those digits worn by pass-rushing terminator Fred Dean will be retired during halftime ceremonies at the Bulldogs' season opener versus Northwestern State University on Sept. 2.
With that retirement, Tech will complete its "trifecta" of Pro Football Hall of Fame representatives having their jersey numbers retired. Previous honorees include Terry Bradshaw and Willie Roaf.
“It is an honor and a privilege and something I can always feel good about,” Dean said. "It’s a big thing for me. I can tell you that. To see me acknowledged (alongside of Terry Bradshaw and Willie Roaf) for what I have done for the program and the school, it really paints a good picture for Louisiana Tech. And it makes me feel extra special because of that.”
Dean was renowned for forcing opposing defensive coordinators to burn midnight oil trying to concoct some scheme that would limit his effectiveness of readjusting helmets following a tackle or sack.
It worked about as often as Aaron Judge having a puny home run exit velocity.
"The best defensive lineman I ever coached," said former Tech defensive coordinator Pat Collins.
For that assessment, Collins hesitated for about as long as it took Dean to register another one of his legendary plays.
"Not even close," Collins added about his quick pick as the "best ever" evaluation.
You want to qualify Dean's legendary status?
Two ways for sure.
He earned the nickname of "Mean Fred" during his days at Ruston High School when he chased down an opposing ball carrier and sent him to a resting place under a fence located near the sidelines.
Then there was the time at Tech when he accidentally shot himself cleaning a rifle and the bullet lodged in his stomach.
No major deal. Fred retrieved the bullet and showed up for practice on the same day.
"Tech ought to retrieve bullet from Fred Dean's gut and retire that, too," suggested former └lexandria Town Talk Sports Edjtor Bob Tompkins.
"We are so honored to be able to retire the number of one of the greatest players in the history of Louisiana Tech Athletics,” said Tech Athletics Director Tommy McClelland. “Fred Dean has already been enshrined in the Tech Athletics Hall of Fame, the College Football Hall of Fame and the Pro Football Hall of Fame. What a trifecta. Now it is time for him to join Terry Bradshaw and Willie Roaf in another trifecta at his alma mater."
Dean helped lead the Bulldogs to a 44-4 record, four Southland Conference crowns and a pair of national championships in 1972 and 1973.
He was chosen as a four-time All-Southland Conference member, a two-time Southland Conference Defensive Player of the Year and a two-time All-American.
His Bulldogs' career featured 362 tsckles, the sixth most in school history.
Dean was drafted in the second round of the 1975 NFL Draft by the San Diego Chargers, where he played for seven seasons.
He then joined the San Francisco 49ers and logged five seasons, two of which he played major roles in Super Bowl crowns.
"He was the main reason the 49ers won two Śuper Bowls," said former Oakland Rajders' Head Coach John Madden,who ranked Dean as one of the best pass rushers he ever saw. "The trade of Fred from the Chargers was a difference maker for the 49ers."
In 1983, the four-time Pro Bowler and twice-selected first team All-Pro was named as the UPI NFC Outstanding Defensive Player of the Year and finished with 17.5 sacks.
Dean was included on the 40th and 50th Anniversary teams of the Chargers.
He's in the Hall of Fame of both of those franchises, as well as the Louisiana Sports, College Football and Tech Hall of Fame
And on Sept. 2, Frederick Rudolph Dean will "sack" yet another honor.

Louisiana Tech University
Flagship of the University of Louisiana System

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